The winners of The Block 2018 have now been revealed after a nail-biting auction
After 11 long weeks of renovating, The Block contestants have heard their last “Tools down!” of the season, which can only mean one thing: auction day is here.
Will the contestants head home with a pocket full of prize money like Josh and Elyse in 2017 who walked away with a total winning of $547,000; or will we see a repeat of The Block Glasshouse where fan favourites like Michael and Carlene won only $10,000 for weeks of hard-work?
The suspense is building in the lead up to The Block auctions which is set to be broadcast on Sunday 28 October at 7pm (EDST) on Channel 9.
Michael and Carlene react to their devastating auction result during The Block Glasshouse finale:
The Block auction order
Whose apartment will go under the hammer first has now been decided.
The order of auctions is always a major source of drama for the contestants. Last year, Josh and Elyse’s Elsternwick home went up for auction first. It was eventually sold to comedian Dave Hughes for $3.067 million which set the bar high for the remaining properties.
Kerrie and Spence celebrate their auction result during The Block 2018 finale:
Who will win The Block 2018?
From the beginning of the season, it looked like those renovating apartments in the ‘old’ Gatwick had no chance of competing with those renovating the penthouse suites, including Jess and Norm and Carla and Bianca.
But after a couple of successful weeks transforming the challenge apartment and taking out two consecutive wins, reno rookies Courtney and Hans have turned the competition on its head, winning $40, 000 off their reserve. At this stage, the favourites to win are Jess and Norm, followed by Hans and Courtney and then Carla and Bianca.
All of the apartments, however, have their own unique perks which could potentially sway buyers on auction day, including Kerrie and Spence’s designer kitchen decked out with Gaggenau appliances and Hayden and Sara’s statement gold bath that will either be loved or loathed.
JESS AND NORM
Norm and Jess’ penthouse apartment has the highest price guide of the bunch at $2.55 – $2.75 million. This is despite the pair scoring only a single room win for their outdoor terrace.
While the pair’s styling choices haven’t always wowed the judges, they have certainly found favour with the Australian public and Domain editor Alice Stolz, who awarded the couple the prestigious Domain magazine cover prize.
The outdoor terrace won Norm and Jess a perfect score and was their first, and only room win during the season.
COURTNEY AND HANS
Courtney and Hans’ apartment has a chance to take out the win after the couple had $40,000 knocked off their reserve. It’s a huge turn of events considering the pair were handed the apartment by default after coming last during the 48 hour challenge.
The couple’s apartment – with its winning terrazzo bathroom, matte metallic kitchen and tonnes of square metreage – has the lowest price guide of the lot, and is expected to sell for between $2.2 and $2.4 million come auction day.
Courtney and Hans’ main bathroom was a winner with the judges, and is clad in trendy terrazzo.
BIANCA AND CARLA
Channelling a New York city vibe, Bianca and Carla’s penthouse apartment has been a huge hit with the judges and buyer’s advocates alike.
Boasting statement timber panelling and a spacious entertainer’s kitchen, the former pro-netballers have consistently nailed the styling of their apartment since day dot.
The price guide for the apartment is just below Norm and Jess’ at $2.5 to $2.7 million.
Timber cladding in the master bedroom along with bespoke bedside tables earned Bianca and Carla high praise from judges Neale, Shaynna and Darren.
KERRIE AND SPENCE
Aiming for a slightly older demographic than the other contestants, Kerrie and Spence’s apartment is all about period detailing, high-end finishes and functionality. Known for their attention to detail, craftsmanship and on-point art choices, the apartment has the same price guide as Carla and Bianca’s penthouse at $2.5 to $2.7 million.
The sophisticated entertainer’s kitchen created by Kerrie and Spence earned a perfect score from the judges. Its functional layout, high-end appliances and open-ended butler’s pantry is expected to attract interest from buyers.
HAYDEN AND SARA
Could a $75,000 bathroom complete with a statement brass bathtub be enough to see Hayden and Sara’s apartment sell at the top-end of the competition?
The husband and wife duo who amped up their styling game during the renovation of the challenge apartment, were perhaps the most divisive couple on the show this year. Their apartment has the same price guide as both Bianca and Carla’s and Kerrie and Spence’s at $2.5 to $2.7 million.
Hayden and Sara’s master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe took out the win after the pair put into practice some hard-to-swallow styling advice from judge Shaynna Blaze.
Pick up your copy of The Block magazine for $14.99 from Mag Shop, or where all good magazines are sold. It’s packed with features, including 21 pages of kitchens and bathrooms, top tips for your own reno, and brand-new interviews with your favourite Block contestants and judges.
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